In a significant diplomatic move, the Biden administration announced on Friday its decision to restore a nearly 50-year-old U.S. legal finding that deems Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories "illegitimate" under international law. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cited the inconsistency of settlements with Israel's obligations and reversed the previous determination made by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The announcement came in response to Israel's plan to construct over 3,300 new homes in West Bank settlements following a Palestinian shooting attack that resulted in one Israeli fatality and five injuries. Blinken's remarks come amidst escalating tensions between the U.S. and Israel over the conflict in Gaza, exacerbated by the recent settlement announcement.

While the Biden administration officials did not characterize Blinken's statement as a reversal, they clarified that Pompeo's decision was considered his opinion and not legally binding U.S. policy. This decision marks a shift away from the pro-Israel stance adopted by former President Donald Trump, indicating a reversion to the long-standing U.S. policy recognizing settlements as obstructive to achieving lasting peace in the region.

The administration's decision aligns with the U.S. stance under both Republican and Democratic administrations, emphasizing that settlement expansion undermines Israel's security and is incompatible with international law. The reinstatement of this finding, originally established in 1978 by the "Hansell Memorandum," reflects a return to decades-long U.S. policy on the issue.

The move signifies a reevaluation of U.S. Middle East strategy as the Biden administration seeks to address the ongoing conflict dynamics in the region. Blinken's announcement, made during a news conference in Buenos Aires, underscores the administration's commitment to opposing settlement expansion and promoting a path towards a lasting peace agreement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.